Around 25 per cent of them have crossed 15 lakh kilometres
The corporation is in deep losses and unable to buy new buses and a large number of buses have travelled more than their capacity. As per norms, a bus which covered more than 11 lakh kilometres should be condemned and replaced by a new one. But the
Visakapatnam: Old buses have turned out to be a problem to the APSRTC to meet the demand of festival season.
The officials have planned to ply around 500 special buses from Vizag to various destinations. But, around 25 per cent of them have crossed 15 lakh kilometres. On the other hand, 105 new buses are yet to be introduced as part of JNNURM programme.
The corporation is in deep losses and unable to buy new buses and a large number of buses have travelled more than their capacity. As per norms, a bus which covered more than 11 lakh kilometres should be condemned and replaced by a new one. But the corporation is plying the buses which have crossed the limit. Due to deficiency of funds the management is plying those old buses after overhauling and they have now crossed around 15 lakh kilometres of journey.
Out of 650, around 150 buses in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram region are in such a condition. In the same way, around 170 buses out of 900 in Vizag region are also plying in the same condition.
But as per the demand, the corporation has planned to run special services to long distances like Hyderabad, Tirupati and Vijayawada. RTC authorities said around 500 buses will be allotted for special trips during the Dasara holidays to Rajhmundry, Kakinada. Narsipatnam and Parva-thipuram.
On the other hand, the Vizag region is expecting around 105 new buses from the union government as part of the JNNURM scheme. If they come in near future the local authorities can serve the public better. The authorities are waiting for the new buses for the replacement of old buses.
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( Source : dc correspondent )
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